Regarding Pecha Kucha Night Vancouver – Letter to Cause + Affect

Speaking to smart audiences is a thrill for some, a terror for others, and a wee bit of an addiction for me.

Over the past several years, I excitedly and anxiously seized the chance to present at your Pecha Kucha Vancouver events *3* times (a record?):

my first foray stepping onto the 20×20 stage – still an bit of an unknown wildcard – was to share my “Fuck Stats, Make Art” spiel in which i share almost everything i’ve learned about creativity with purpose in 6:40;

then called into action to support my beloved Japan with stories id really never shared (and really want to share again) and, as it turns out, you asked me without realizing i spent years wandering the backs roads, and hidden villages of ancient Japan (which showed great confidence in what i bring to the stage despite being terribly hungover);

finally, “batting cleanup” at the 20th instalment – the All-Star edition- which (frankly featured some comically underprepared speakers), was a public speaking pinnacle for me equalled only by SXSW.

The legendary stage at the Vogue, an engaged audience, a gracious introduction welcoming me with a busted foot and resultant cane, a blue curling sweater and a brand new hat, to share “Lost Vancouver Stories” was truly a night i’ll fondly remember, despite the seemingly endless wait sipping tallcan beer, before my slot.

For all of your generosity of skill and the spirit you put forth, i offer my sincere thanks and congratulations for a fine job which you can reflect upon with pride (and exhaustion no doubt) – not sure what becomes of the series now but you’ve set a high bar and created a magnificent historical record for a city in transition who is honestly trying to figure out who “we” are and what “it” is.

I fondly shared the stage with some remarkable folks who are genuinely effectuating positive change in the world (as well as a few true oddballs) which all added to the ragged and nuanced majesty of the events.

Now as my life situation has changed with a weird health conundrum, i am especially grateful you threw down the gauntlet as i am not sure when or if i’ll be up for such a performance again as i try to patch myself back together.

Vancouver (and me) are better for your risk and dedication. Sit back and enjoy a tasty beverage and hugging kids.

We started PechaKucha Night in Vancouver in 2008 to bring people together. At the time, Vancouver lacked a vehicle for self discovery. There was just not enough awareness of the amazing people doing creative things in and for our city.

Now, almost 8 years on, we have produced 38 Volumes and put almost 500 different speakers on the stage in front of over 35,000 people. To our surprise, the series has grown a committed following that verges on cultish.

As PechaKucha Night grew, dozens of new community events sprouted throughout Vancouver. There is now no shortage of places to go to hear about the wonderful things happening in our incredible city.

Given our long run and the new cultural landscape of the city, it is time to pass on the PechaKucha torch and give someone else a chance to bring fresh new people and ideas to the stage.

We’re not done creating experiences that catalyze our city’s creativity and culture. That’s what we do. That’s who we are. But we started PechaKucha to fill a need that is now well served and it is time for us to focus on something new.

We have informed PechaKucha headquarters in Tokyo of our decision and offered our help in selecting our successor. If you’re interested in taking the reins, please contact Johnny at PechaKucha HQ.

We look forward to watching this event evolve here and around the world, and will continue to support the many other great community events that surround us.

It has been an incredible ride and we cannot communicate how much it has meant to us and how touched we are by those of you who enjoyed it along with us.

Thank you to all our speakers. Thank you to all our musical guests. Thank you to all our partners, venues and volunteers. And most of all, thank you. This event became what it was due to the love and support of our community.

From Steven and Jane and everyone at Cause+Affect, this isn’t goodbye. This is ‘see you later.’

It has been our pleasure.

We filmed many of the more recent events. If you want to relive the magic, check out our Vimeo page.